BITS Pilani has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Leeds, United Kingdom, aimed at fostering academic and research collaboration between both the universities.

As part of the engagement, a delegation from the University of Leeds including Prof Nora H. de Leeuw, Executive Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Prof Rob Sturman, Pro-Dean International, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Prof Osvaldo M. Querin, Pro-Dean for Student Education, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Ms. Krystyna Kowalska, Regional Development Manager – South Asia & Southeast Asia and Ms. Shweta Datt, Country Advisor, University of Leeds India Office visited the BITS Pilani K K Birla Goa Campus on June 23rd, 2025.

The delegates were welcomed by Prof Suman Kundu, Director, K K Birla Goa Campus, Prof. Srikanth Mutnuri, Dean (University-Wide), International Programmes & Collaboration Division (IPCD) and Prof. R P Pradhan, Associate Dean, IPCD, K K Birla Goa Campus. The delegation had fruitful interaction on introduction of joint programmes, joint research, faculty and student mobility, and academic collaboration with participation of Associate Deans, HoDs and faculty colleagues from Goa Campus.

Following the Goa campus visit by the delegates, a formal MoU was signed at New Delhi on June 25th 2025 by Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Vice-Chancellor, BITS Pilani and Prof. Shearer West, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Leeds.

In addition to the delegation who visited Goa Campus, the MoU signing ceremony in New Delhi was also attended by:

From BITS Pilani: Prof. Srikanth Mutnuri, Dean- IPCD, Professor, Department of Biological Sciences

From University of Leeds: Mr. Chris Brooks, Head of Global Philanthropy, Prof. Piruthivi Sukumar, Pro-Dean International India, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Prof. Ian Wood, Pro-Dean International, Faculty of Biological Sciences.

MoU focuses cooperation in the field of introduction of Joint Programmes, joint research projects, organization of academic events such as conferences, seminars, and symposia, exchange of faculty, researchers, and students and sharing of academic publications and other scholarly materials.